Catadioptric projection system for 157 nm lithography

ABSTRACT

A photolithography reduction projection catadioptric objective includes a first optical group including an even number of at least four mirrors, and a second at least substantially dioptric optical group more imageward than the first optical group including a number of lenses for providing image reduction. The first optical group provides compensative axial color correction for the second optical group.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/771,986, filed Feb. 3, 2004, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/444,897, filed May 23, 2003, which is (1) a continuation of International Application Serial No. PCT/EP01/13851, filed Nov. 28, 2001 and published in English on Jun. 6, 2002, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/253,508, filed Nov. 28, 2000 and from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/250,996, filed Dec. 4, 2000, and (2) a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/761,562, filed Jan. 16, 2001 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,636,350) which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/176,190, filed Jan. 14, 2000, all of the aforementioned patent applications and patents are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to projection systems for photolithography, and particularly to catadioptric systems including first and second optical imaging groups for 157 nm lithography.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Extending DUV lithography to sub 100-nm linewidths requires a projection system with a high numerical aperture, e.g., 0.65-0.75 or larger, at a wavelength of 157 nm. As optical lithography is extended into the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV), issues surrounding the laser linewidth and material availability could cause substantive delays to the development of a commercial 157 nm step/repeat or step/scan tool. Therefore, it is desired to investigate optical configurations that minimize the consumption of calcium fluoride.

Microlithographic reduction projection catadioptric objectives, such as that shown and described with respect to FIG. 3 of European patent application no. EP 0 779 528 A2, which is hereby incorporated by reference, may be understood as variants of pure catoptric objectives. FIG. 3 of the '528 application shows a system having six minors and three lenses. The optical surfaces are generally symmetric to a common axis, and the object plane and the image plane are situated on this same axis upstream and downstream of the objective, respectively. As described in the '528 application, the system of FIG. 2 therein has a numerical aperture of only 0.55 and that of FIG. 3 therein only 0.6. In addition, all but one of the six mirrors shown at FIG. 3 are cut off sections of a bodies of revolution, yielding mounting and adjustment face difficulties. Also, the lenses shown in FIG. 3 serve only as correcting elements having minor effect. In addition, the most imageward (or optically closest to the image plane) mirror described in the '528 application is concave. It is desired to have an objective with a higher numerical aperture, and which is constructed for easier mounting and adjustment.

A similar objective to that described in the '528 application (above) is disclosed at U.S. Pat. No. 4,701,035, which is hereby incorporated by reference. The objective shown at FIG. 12 of the '035 patent, for example, has nine mirrors, two lenses and two intermediate images. The object plane and image plane are situated within the envelope of the objective. The objective described in the '035 application also exhibits a low numerical aperture and offers similar mounting and adjustment difficulties as described above with respect to the '528 application. In both the '528 and '035 applications, the image field is an off-axis ring sector.

An axially symmetric type of catadioptric objective is disclosed in German patent document DE 196 39 586 A (see also U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/263,788), each application of which is hereby incorporated by reference. The '586 application discloses an objective having two opposing concave mirrors, an image field centered at the common axis and a central obscuration of the aperture. It is recognized herein that it is desired to have an axially symmetric objective having an unobscured aperture. Another type of catadioptric objective for microlithographic reduction projection has only one concave mirror and a folding mirror, as is described at U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,763 and European patent application no. EP 0 869 383 A, which are each hereby incorporated by reference.

It is recognized herein that catadioptric optical systems have several advantages, especially in a step and scan configuration, and that it is desired to develop such systems for wavelengths below 365 nm. One catadioptric system concept relates to a Dyson-type arrangement used in conjunction with a beam splitter to provide ray clearance and unfold the system to provide for parallel scanning (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,537,260, 5,742,436 and 5,805,357, which are incorporated by reference). However, these systems have a serious drawback since the size of this beam splitting element becomes quite large as the numerical aperture is increased up to and beyond 0.65 to 0.70, making the procurement of bulk optical material with sufficient quality (in three-dimensions) a high risk endeavor. This problem is exacerbated as wavelengths are driven below 193 nm because the selection of material that can be manufactured to lithographic quality is severely limited.

To circumvent this problem, it is recognized herein that it is desired to develop systems without beamsplitters. However, it is difficult to achieve an adequately high numerical aperture (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,685,777, 5,323,263, 5,515,207 and 5,815,310, which are incorporated by reference), or to achieve a fully coaxial configuration, instead of relying on the use of folding mirrors to achieve parallel scanning (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,835,275 and EP 0 816 892, which are incorporated by reference) and thereby complicating the alignment and structural dynamics of the system. In addition, it is desired to have an optical design that generally does not utilize too many lens elements, which can greatly increase the mass of the optical system.

WO 01/51 979 A (U.S. Ser. Nos. 60/176,190 and 09/761,562) and WO 01/55767 A (U.S. Ser. Nos. 60/176,190 and 09/759,806)—all commonly owned and published after the priority date of this application—show similar coaxial catadioptric objectives with 4 mirrors or more.

EP 1 069 448 A1 published after the priority date of this application shows a coaxial catadioptric objective with two curved mirrors and a real. intermediate image located besides the primary mirror.

All cited publications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. It is desired to develop a compact, coaxial, catadioptric projection system for deep ultraviolet and/or vacuum ultraviolet lithography that uses no beamsplitters or fold mirrors in is optical path.

It is an object of the invention to provide an objective for microlithographic projection reduction having high chromatic correction of typical bandwidths of excimer laser light sources, which permits a high image-side numerical aperture, and which reduces complexity with respect to mounting and adjusting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above, a photolithography reduction projection catadioptric objective is provided including a first optical group including an even number of at least four mirrors, and a second at least substantially dioptric optical group more imageward than the first optical group including a number of lenses for providing image reduction. The first optical group provides compensative axial colour correction for the second optical group.

A preferred embodiment is a photolithographic reduction projection catadioptric objective including a first optical group including an even number of at least six mirrors, and a second at least substantially dioptric optical group more imageward than the first optical group including a number of lenses for providing image reduction. This increased number of mirrors gives more degrees of freedom to the correction and simplifies the design for stressed qualities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows the lens section of a projection objective for 157 nm photolithography according to a first preferred embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows the lens section of a second preferred embodiment.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

What follows is a cite list of references which are, in addition to the references cited above in the background section, hereby incorporated by reference into the detailed description of the preferred embodiment, as disclosing alternative embodiments of elements or features of the preferred embodiment not otherwise set forth in detail herein with reference to FIG. 1 or FIG. 2. A single one or a combination of two or more of these references may be consulted to obtain a variation of the preferred embodiment described above. Further patent, patent application and non-patent references, and discussion thereof, cited in the background and/or elsewhere herein are also incorporated by reference into the detailed description of the preferred embodiment with the same effect as just described with respect to the following references: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,323,263, 5,515,207, 5,052,763, 5,537,260, 4,685,777, 5,071,240, 5,815,310, 5,401,934, 4,595,295, 4,232,969, 5,742,436, 5,805,357, 5,835,275, 4,171,871, 5,241,423, 5,089,913, 5,159,172, 5,608,526, 5,212,588, 5,686,728, 5,220,590, 5,153,898, 5,353,322, 5,315,629, 5,063,586, 5,410,434, 5,956,192, 5,071,240, 5,078,502, 6,014,252, 5,805,365, 6,033,079, 4,701,035 and 6,142,641; and German patent no. DE 196 39 586 A; and U.S. patent applications Ser. Nos. 09/263,788 and 09/761,562; and European patent applications No. EP 0 816 892 A1, EP 0 779 528 A2 and EP 0 869 383 A; and

“Design of Reflective Relay for Soft X-Ray Lithography”, J. M. Rodgers, T. E. Jewell, International Lens Design Conference, 1990;

“Optical System Design Issues in Development of Projection Camera for EUV Lithography”, T. E. Jewell, SPIE Volume 2437, pages 340-347;

“Ring-Field EUVL Camera with Large Etendu”, W. C. Sweatt, OSA TOPS on Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography, 1996;

“Phase Shifting Diffraction Interferometry for Measuring Extreme Ultraviolet Optics”, G. E. Sornargren, OSA TOPS on Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography, 1996; and

“EUV Optical Design for a 100 nm CD Imaging System”, D. W. Sweeney, R Hudyma, H. N. Chapman, and D. Shafer, SPIE Volume 3331, pages 2-10

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A catadioptric projection system according to a preferred embodiment herein is schematically shown at FIG. 1 and includes two distinct optical groups G1 and G2. Group G1 is a catadioptric group including mirrors M1-M6 and lenses E1-E3, as shown in FIG. 1. An object or mask plane Ob is disposed to the left of group G1 in FIG. 1 or optically before group G1. Group G2 is disposed optically after group G1 and to the right of group G1 in FIG. 1. An image or wafer plane Im is disposed optically after group G2 and to the right of group G2 in FIG. 1.

Group G1 functions by correcting field aberrations and providing a conjugate stop position for correction of axial chromatic aberration. Group G2 is a dioptric group including lens elements E4-E13, as also shown in FIG. 1. Group G2 lies aft of G1, or optically nearer the image plane of the system, enabling the system to achieve numerical apertures in excess of 0.65, 0.70 and even 0.75. This catadioptric system achieves a high numerical aperture preferably using no beamsplitters nor fold mirrors. The description herein examines the performance of the preferred system of FIG. 1.

As mentioned, the system of FIG. 1 is separated into two optical groups, i.e., group G1 including 6 mirrors and 3 lens elements and group G2 including 10 individual lens elements. The design is purely coaxial with a single common centerline (axis of symmetry) using an off-axis field to achieve the necessary ray clearance so that the mask and wafer planes are parallel, Group G1 forms a virtual image V1 located behind mirror M6 at a reduction of ˜0.8×. Group G2 takes this virtual image and forms a usable real image at the wafer. Group G2 takes this virtual image and forms a usable real image at the wafer. Group G2 operates at a reduction of about 0.25×, allowing the system to achieve a desired reduction of 0.20×. A complete optical prescription is found in Table 2, below, describing the optical surfaces in Code V format.

Referring to FIG. 1, how the preferred design achieves the performance listed in Table 1 is now explained. To correct chromatic aberration, the aperture stop AS that lies in group G2 has a conjugate position located within group G1 preferably at, and alternatively near, mirror M2. At M2, strong negative lenses E2/B3 are used in a double-pass configuration for inducing overcorrected (positive) axial chromatic aberration used to balance or correct an undercorrected (negative) axial chromatic aberration created by the strong positive optical power of group G2. With regard to lateral chromatic aberration, FIG. 1 shows an aperture stop AS in group G2 placed in a quasi-symmetric manner, allowing the Lateral chromatic aberration to be at least nearly self-corrected within group G2 itself. In practice, lateral chromatic aberration of a few parts per million (ppm) may be within tolerance within group G2 and can be corrected using slight asymmetry of the chief ray near the conjugate stop position at mirror M2.

By balancing aberration correction between G1 and G2, the monochromatic aberrations are corrected in such a way to leave the lens elements within G2 “unstressed.” The term “unstressed” is used to signify the fact that no steep ray bendings are used within G2 to promote high-order aberration correction. Both the chief and marginal rays exhibit this behavior. The fact that group G2 is “unstressed” is advantageous when manufacturing and assembly tolerances are considered in detail.

Overall, the system of FIG. 1 includes 6 mirrors and 13 lens elements in a coaxial configuration all coaxial to axis A. The design utilizes an off-axis field to enable ray clearance and allow the mask and wafer planes to be parallel. Lens element E1 of group G1 is used to make the chief ray telecentric at the mask plane. Group G1 forms a virtual image behind mirror M6, which is relayed by the dioptric group G2 to form a final image at the wafer plane.

TABLE 1 System of FIG. 1 Performance Summary Parameter Performance Wavelength (nm) 157 Spectral band (pm) 0.5 Reduction ratio (R) 0.20 Field size (mm) 22 × 7 rectangular Numerical aperture (NA) 0.75 RMS wavefront error (waves) 0.013 λ Distortion (nm) <1 nm PAC (ppm) 39.0 ppm PLC (ppm)  0.0 ppm Total track (mm) distance Ob - Im 1250 Front working distance (mm) 25.0 Back working distance (mm) 10.0 Blank mass (kg, estimated) 39.0

Table 1 shows that the monochromatic RMS wavefront error, distortion, and chromatic aberrations PAC—paraxial axial colour aberration and PLC—paraxial local colour aberration are reduced small residual values as desired for precision lithographic projection systems. Further, the system of FIG. 1 may be confined within a volume that is similar to or smaller than conventional systems, meaning that the footprint of legacy tools can be maintained, if desired.

TABLE 2 Optical Design Prescription for the System of FIG. 1 RDY THI RMD GLA OBJ: INFINITY 25.000000 1: INFINITY 0.000000 2: INFINITY 0.000000 3: 329.41693 30.000000 ‘cafl_vuv’ ASP: K: 0.722126 A: 0.000000E+00 B: −.225942E−11 C: 0.167998E−15 D: −.128550E−20 E: −.233823E−24 F: 0.685735E−29 G: 0.000000E+00 H: 0.000000E+00 4: 502.56913 59.208438 5: INFINITY 347.586957 6: −1183.47149 −347.586957 REFL ASP: K: A: −.127089E−08 B: 0.812330E−14 C: −.123118E−18 D: 0.894383E−23 E: −.276494E−27 F: 0.402755E−32 G: 0.000000E+00 H: 0.000000E+00 7: 279.62176 −7.500000 ‘cafl_‘vuv’ 8. 745.02111 −5.835889 9. 350.74458 −7.500000 ‘cafl_’vuv’ 10. 1226.35940 −8.372549 11. 324.93068 8.372549 REFL ASP: K: 0.069031 A: −551054E−09 B: −.166403E−13 C: −.307699E−18 D: 0.277748E−22 E: −.680019E−26 F: 0.506026E−30 G: 0.000000E+00 H: 0.000000E+00 12: 1226.35940 7.500000 cafl_’vuv’ 13: 350.74458 5.835889 14: 745.02111 7.500000 ‘cafl_’vuv’ 15: 279.62176 304.397688 16: 490.28038 −244.852865 REFL ASP: K: −1.803201 A: −.482804E−08 B: −.125400E−12 C: 0.242638E−17 D: −.680221E−22 E: 0.237919E−26 F: −.315262E−31 G: 0.000000E+00 H: 0.000000E+00 17: 667.70113 565.726496 REFL ASP: K: −0.118347 A: −.275181E−09 B: −.327224E−14 C: 0.200875E−19 D: −.620470E−24 E: 0.627048E−29 F: −.394543E−34 G: 0.000000E+00 H: 0.000000E+00 18: INFINITY 25.997938 SLB: “Intermediate image” 19: −1126.18103 −178.682300 REFL ASP: K: 7.738777 A: −.668802E−08 B: 0.253685E−12 C: −.548789E−17 D: 0.625386E−22 E: −.276305E−27 F: −120188E−33 G: 0.000000E+00 H: −0.000000E+00 20: −1002.36339 178.682300 REFL ASP: K: 50.616566 A: −973184E−08 B: 0.308396E−12 C: −.511443E−16 D: 0.428520E−20 E: −217208E−24 F: 0.518418E−29 G: 0.000000E+00 H: 0.000000E+00 21: INFINITY −324.644282 22: INFINITY 324.644282 SLB: “Virtual image” 23: INFINITY 139.926509 24: 532.50558 30.000000 ‘cafl_vuv ASP: K: −28.969955 A: 0.000000E+00 B: −.109172E−I1 C: 0.625819E−16 D: −.274325E−20 E: 0.634878E−25 F: 0.581549E−29 G: 0.000000E+00 H: 0.000000E+00 25: −584.92060 2.500000 26: 1292.88867 13.668481 ‘cafl_’vuv’ 27: −1383.77341 2.500000 28: 760.97648 15.674455 ‘cafl_’vuv’ 29: −1077.75076 11.001421 30: −250.22566 10.000000 ‘cafl_vuv’ 31: −500.99843 11.138638 STO: INFINITY 22.619203 SLB: “stop” 33: −298.09900 18.822972 ‘cafl_vuv’ ASP: K: 6.689541 A: 0.000000E+00 B: 0.346206E−12 C: −498302E−17 D: 0.272385E−20 E −.106617E−24 F: 0.175645E−28 G: 0.000000E+00 H: 0.000000E+00 34: −1073.42340 0.500000 35: 267.47103 50.000000 ‘cafl_’ vuv’ 36: −607.58973 0.592125 37: 258.S1S26 27.182889 ‘cafl_’vuv’ 38: −8945.70709 0.500000 39: 159.70628 39.768717 ‘cafl_’vuv’ ASP: K: −1.214880 A: 0.000000E+00 B: −.252828E−11 C: −.632030E−16 D: −.765024E−21 E: 0.477017E−24 F: −.163970E−28 G: 0.000000E+00 H: 0.000000E+00 40: −746.03878 0.500000 41: 122.36092 43.154424 ‘‘cafl_’vuv’ 42: 95.77143 4.340799 ASP: K: 1.012065 A: 000000E+00 B: 0.214891E−12 C: −.187071E−14 D: −.681922E−18 E: 0.313376E−22 F: O.000O00E+00 G: 0.000000E+00 H: 0.000000E+00 43: 115.81595 30.082531 ‘‘cafl_’vuv’ 44: −1828.47137 9.930603 IMG: INFINITY 0.000000 The catadioptric projection system according to a second preferred embodiment herein is schematically shown at FIG. 2 and includes two distinct optical groups G1′ and G2′. Group G1′ is a catadioptric group including mirrors M1′-M6′ and lenses E1′-E3′, as shown in FIG. 2. An object or mask plane Ob′ is disposed to the left of group G1′ in FIG. 2 or optically before Group G1′. Group G2′ is disposed optically after group G1′ and to the right of G′ in FIG. 2. An image or wafer plane Im′ is disposed optically after group G2′ and to the right of group G2′ in FIG. 2.

Group G1′ functions by correcting field aberrations and providing a conjugate stop CS′ position for correction of axial chromatic aberration. Group G2′ is a dioptric group including lens elements E4′-E13′, as also shown in FIG. 2. Group G2′ lies aft of G1′, or optically nearer the image plane Im′ of the system, enabling the system to achieve numerical apertures in excess of 0.65, 0.70 and even 0.75. This catadioptric system achieves a high numerical aperture preferably using no beamsplitters nor fold mirrors. The description herein examines the performance of the second preferred embodiment of FIG. 2.

The first embodiment of FIG. 1 features independent correction of lateral chromatic aberration in the individual imaging groups. This feature influenced the optical construction in terms of stop position(s), element powers and element shapes. In the present second embodiment, the independent lateral color correction feature is not included and a balance of lateral color is struck between the fore and aft groups.

Group G1′ is a catadioptric group that functions by correcting field aberrations and providing a conjugate stop position to correct axial chromatic aberration. Group G2′ is a dioptric group that lies aft of G1′ enabling the system to achieve numerical apertures(NA) in excess of 0.65, and preferably at least 0.70, or 0.75, or even 0.80 or higher. For example, a system in accord with the preferred embodiment may be configured to exhibit a NA of 0.79 while advantageously having a RMS wavefront error of only 0.0115λ. That is, the system may be configured with a NA above 0.75, while maintaining the RMS wavefront error below 0.02λ, and even below 0.015λ.

The system shown in FIG. 2 has two distinct groups, as mentioned above. Group G1′ includes an even number of at least four mirrors, and preferably has six mirrors M1′-M6′. Group G1′ further preferably includes three lens elements E1′-E3′. Group G2′ includes a lens barrel of ten individual lens elements E4′-E13′, as shown in FIG. 2. The design is coaxial having a single common centerline, respectively, of the system of two optical groups G1′ and G2′ shown in FIG. 2. The design uses an off-axis field to achieve ray clearances in group G1′ Since Group G2′ is dioptric, ray clearance problems are eliminated enabling a system with a high numerical aperture. The concept also provides for unlimited scanning of the mask and wafer in a parallel configuration.

Group G1′ of FIG. 2 forms a minified, virtual image V1′ located behind mirror M6′ at a reduction of ˜0.8×. Group G2′ relays this virtual image V1′ to form a usable real image Im at the wafer. Group G2′ operates at a reduction of about 0.25×. allowing the system to achieve a reduction of 0.20×. A complete optical prescription is found in Table 5 below, describing the optical surfaces in Code V format.

To correct chromatic aberration, the aperture stop AS′ that lies in group G2′ has a conjugate stop CS′ position in group G1′ between mirror M1′ and M2′. This allows a negative chief ray height at elements E2′ and E3′ (for positive field height at the reticle (Ob′)). This chief ray height, when combined with the sign of the marginal ray and the negative power of the E2′/E3′ pair, provides for a lateral chromatic aberration contribution that substantially cancels the lateral color contribution from group G2′. Assuming a spectral bandwidth of 0.5 pm, this specific embodiment has a paraxial lateral color contribution from E2′/E3′ of ˜35 ppm, whereas the paraxial lateral color contribution from Group G2′ is ˜35 ppm, resulting in an advantageous sum total of approximately 0 ppm. The principle result is that the power distribution and shapes of the lenses in group G2′ take on a very advantageous form.

FIG. 2 also specifically shows raytrace layout of the preferred embodiment. The system shown includes six mirrors M1′-M6′ and thirteen lens elements E1′-E3′ in a coaxial configuration. The design utilizes an off-axis field (ring field, rectangular slit field or the like) to enable ray clearance and allow the mask and wafer planes Ob′, Im′ to be parallel. Element E1 is preferably used advantageously to make the chief ray telecentric at the mask plane Ob′, as described in more detail below. Group G1′ forms a virtual image V1′ behind mirror M6′, which is relayed by dioptric group G2′ to form the final image at the wafer plane Im′. A real intermediate image Im′ is also formed between mirrors M4′ and M5′ of group G1′, as shown in FIG. 2.

At mirror M2′, negative lenses E2′/E3′ are used in a double-pass configuration to induce overcorrected (positive) axial chromatic aberration used to correct undercorrected (negative) axial chromatic aberration created by the strong positive optical power of group G2′. The monochromatic aberrations are corrected via a balance between groups G1′ and G2′. In addition, this is done in such a manner as to leave the lens elements E4′-E13′ in group G2′ “unstressed” as in the first embodiment.

Lens element E1′ provides for the telecentric condition at the plane Ob′ of the mask. It is advantageous to have positive optical power near the mask to reduce the chief ray height on mirror M1′. Lens element E1′ appears to lie in conflict with the substrate of mirror M2′. To achieve this concept, it is preferred that only a small off-axis section of E1′ be used. This means that pieces of a complete E1′ could be sectioned to yield pieces for multiple projection systems, further reducing the required blank mass of a single system.

Another option to resolve the apparent conflict between lens E1′ and the substrate of mirror M2′ is to place lens E1′ between mirrors M1′ and M2′, such as somewhere close to the group of lens elements E2′/E3′. In this Manner, the complete lens would be used.

TABLE 3 Performance Summary of System of FIG. 2 Parameter Performance Wavelength (nm) 157 Spectral band (pm) 0.5 Reduction Ratio (R) 0.20 Field size (mm) 22 × 7 Numerical aperture(NA) 0.75 RMS wavefront error(waves) 0.006λ Distortion (nm) <2 nm PAC (ppm) 42.0 ppm PLC (ppm)  0.7 ppm Total track (mm) 1064 Front working distance(mm) 28.0 Back working distance(mm) 8.7 Blank mass (kg, estimated) 34.4

Table 3 summarizes design performance of the system of the preferred embodiment. The system has a composite RMS wavefront error of 0.006λ, with NA=0.75, evaluated monochromatically over the field. The distortion is less than 2 nm at all field points, and the lateral color PLC is corrected to better than 1 nm. The axial color PAC is also small and could be reduced further if desired and as understood by those spilled in the art. This design approaches an advantageous “zero aberration” condition.

TABLE 4 Composite RMS wavefront error vs. NA NA RMS wavefront error 0.75 0.0058λ 0.76 0.0061λ 0.77 0.0064λ 0.78 0.0075λ 0.79 0.0115λ 0.80 0.0207λ 0.81 0.0383λ 0.82 0.0680λ

As desired dimensional specifications of IC manufactures shrink, the numerical aperture may be advantageously scaled in accord with the preferred embodiment. Table 3 illustrates how the design of FIG. 1 may be scaled as the numerical aperture is increased. A local minimum that does not scale well with aperture is preferably avoided, since otherwise to achieve increased numerical aperture would involve additional redesign. The aperture scaling of the preferred embodiment illustrated at FIG. 1 is presented in Table 3, above. From a qualitative standpoint, the table reveals that the preferred embodiment herein scales well with numerical aperture. For example, the composite RMS only grows by 0.005λ from 0.0058λ to 0.0115 λ as the NA is scaled from 0.75 to 0.79. The results indicate that the system of the preferred embodiment my be scaled to a numerical aperture larger than 0.80.

TABLE 5 Optical Design Prescription of System of FIG. 2 RDY THI RMD GLA OBJ: INFINITY 28.000000 1: INFINITY 0.000000 2: INFINITY 0.000000 3: 256.21415 19.957583 ‘cafl_vuv’ 4: 461.83199 42.954933 5: INFINITY 329.408468 6: −947.39721 −329.408468 REFL ASP: K: 10.217685 A: −.271423E−08 B: 0.413774E−13 C: 0.119957E−17 D: 0.566939E−22 E: −.201485E−26 7: 235.67059 −5.250000 ‘cafl_vuv’ 8: 1202.79595 −18.801014 9: 199.92931 −5.250000 ‘cafl vuv’ 10: 471.74620 −10.153919 11: 245.63551 10.153919 REFL ASP: K: 0.060091 A: 0.624853E−09 B: 0.113020E−13 C: −.515404E−18 D: O.I70604E−21 E = .159226E−25 F: 0.105279E−29 12: 471.74620 5.250000 ‘cafl_vuv’ 13: 199.92931 18.801014 14: 1202.79595 5250000 ‘cafl_vuv’ 15: 235.67059 298.515259 16: 490.36196 −227.868676 REFL ASP: K: 0.133019 A: −.401120E-OS B: −.925737E−13 C: −.236166E−17 D: 0.108790E−21 E: −.551175E−26 F: 0.127289E−30 17: 6I1.66355 331.489215 REFL ASP: K: −0.837736 A: 0.918739E−11 B: −.476080E−14 C: 0.346155E−19 D: −.225369E−23 E: 0.307373E−28 F: −.248704E−33 18: INFINITY 126.863525 19: −561.20466 −126.090855 REFL ASP: K: 2.976905 A: −.I54058E−09 B: 0.125754E−13 C: 0.647835E−19 D: 0.684380E−23 E: −.112193E−27 F: 0.122096E−32 20: 278.57130 126.090855 REFL ASP: K: 8.694109 A: −.272648E−07 B: 0.129115E−12 C: −.101751E−15 D: 0.402887E−19 E: −.610026E−23 F: 0.531569E−27 21: INFINITY −226.338582 22: INFINITY 226.338582 23: INFINITY 52.284606 24: 729.88242 21.000000 ‘cafl_vuv’ ASP: K: −31.964685 A: O.000O00E+00 B: 0.562441E−11 C: 0.152848E−16 D: −.915976E−20 E: 0.259148E−24 F: 0.238241E−28 25: 158.15364 17.296741 26: 1355.83270 24.560562 ‘cafl_vuv’ 27: −210.48464 0.700000 28: 376.45149 23.959662 ‘cafl_vuv’ 29: −356.27423 15.713419 30: −132.60708 38.500000 ‘cafl_vuv’ 31: −152.06343 0.700000 STO: INFINITI′ 12.628192 33: 273.21370 38.500000 ‘cafl_vuv’ ASP: K: 5.588882 A: O: 000O00E+00 B: 0.113851E−11 C: 0.272852E−16 D: 0.288236E−20 E: 0.101289E−24 F: 0.171576E−25 34: −276.08617 0.700000 35: 240.81764 38.500000 ‘cafl_vuv’ 36: −48844.10806 11.186318 37: 164.33601 38.500000 ‘cafl_vuv’ 38: −2168.86405 2.528995 39: 157.43497 38.500000 ‘cafl vuv’ ASP: K: −1.250301 A: O.000O00E+00 B: −.532791E−11 C: −.258778E−15 D: −.139880E−19 E: 0.252524E−23 F:: 138502E−28 40: 29770.37524 2.727081 41: 130.31599 33.479292 ‘cafl_vuv’ 42: 54.66735 3.097821 ASP: K: 0.179565 A: O.000O00E+00 B: 0.129145E−I 1 C: −.283430E−14 D: .650118E−17 E: 0.238362E−20 43: 108.48722 20.284450 ‘cafl_vuv’ 44: INFINITY 8.741020 IMG INFINI11′ 0.000000 q SPECIFICATION DATA NAO 0.15000 TEL DIM MM WL 157.63 157.63 157.63 REF 21 1 WTW 1 1 1 XOB 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 YOB 66.50000 75.25000 84.00000 92.75000 101.50000 YOB 1.00000 1.00000 1.00000 1.00000 . 1.00000 VUY 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 VLY 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 REFRACTNE INDICES GLASS CODE 157.63 ‘cafl_vuv’ 1.559288 No solves defined in system INFINITE CONJUGATES EFL −21643.8522 BFL −4320.0292 FFL 0.1082E+06 FNO 0.0000 AT USED CONJUGATES RED −0.2000 FNO −0.6667 OBJ DIS 28.0000 TT 1064.0000 IMG DIS 8.7410 OAL 1027.2590 PARAXIAL IMAGE HT 20.3000 THI 8.7412 ANG 0.0000 ENTRANCE PUPIL DIA 0.3034E+10 THI 0.1000E+11 EXIT PUPIL DIA 6567.5310 TFiI −4320.0760 SPECIFICATION DATA NAO 0.15000 TEL DIM MM WL 157.63 REF 1 WTW 1 XOB 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 YOB 100.00000 107.50000 115.00000 125.50000 130.00000 105.00000 110.00000 120.00000 125.00000 YOB 1.00000 1.00000 1.00000 1.00000 . 1.00000 1.00000 1.00000 1.00000 1.00000 . VUY 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 VLY 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 REFRACTNE INDICES GLASS CODE 157.63 ‘cafl vuv’ 1.559288 No solves defined in system INFINITE CONJUGATES EFL −521.5384 BFL −94.3531 FFL 2582.5092 FNO 0.0000 AT USED CONJUGATES RED −0.2000 FNO −0.6667 OBJ DI5 25.0000 TT 1249.8815 IMG DIS 9.9306 OAL 1214.9509 P.SRAXIAL IMAGE HT 25.0018 THI 9.9619 ANG 0.0000 ENTRANCE PUPIL DIA 0.3034E+10 THI 0.1000E+11 EXTf PUPIL DIA 155.2520 THI −94.3531 The optical design description provided herein demonstrates an advantageous catadioptric projection system for DUV or VUV photolithography. While the preferred embodiment has been designed for use in an 157 nm tool, the basic concept has no wavelength limitations, either shorter or longer, providing a suitable refractive material exists. Some features of the preferred system herein are summarized below.

Configuration

The preferred optical system is catadioptric and includes two optical groups, group G1 and group G2, configured such that group G1 presents a reduced, virtual image to group G2. The function of group G2 is to relay this virtual image to a real image located at the plane of the wafer. Group G1 preferably includes an even number of at least four and preferably 4 or 6 mirrors in combination with lens elements whose primary function is to provide telecentricity at the mask and enable correction of axial chromatic aberration. In the preferred embodiment, an image of the aperture stop is located in close proximity to mirror M2.

Group G2 is preferably entirely dioptric providing most of the system reduction and a corresponding high numerical aperture (in excess of 0.65, 0.70 and even 0.75) at the image. This group G2 also makes the final image telecentric in image space. Group G1 functions to correct high-order field aberrations, advantageously allowing a substantial relaxation of the lens elements found in group G2. Both group G1 and group G2 make use of aspheric surfaces as set forth in the Table 2. The same holds for the second preferred embodiment.

Symmetry

The preferred optical design herein is co-axial, wherein each of the optical elements is rotationally symmetric about a common centerline. The preferred system advantageously does not utilize fold mirrors, prisms, or beamsplitters to fold the opto-mechanical axis. This enables a compact configuration and eliminates substantial bulk refractive material that may be difficult to procure in a timely manner.

Parallel Scanning

The preferred optical system herein achieves mask and wafer planes that are parallel, enabling unlimited scanning in a step/scan lithographic configuration.

Correction of Chromatic Aberration

Correction of chromatic aberration is achieved preferably using a single optical material in the catadioptric configuration described herein. Lateral chromatic aberration is at least substantially self-corrected within group G2, using a balance of optical power on either side of a primary aperture stop located within group G2. Correction of axial chromatic aberration is enabled using a negative lens group E2/E3 located at mirror M2 in group G1, providing an axial chromatic aberration contribution that is nearly equal in magnitude and opposite in sign to the chromatic aberration generated by G2. This high level of axial chromatic aberration correction relaxes the need for a high spectral purity laser exposure source with linewidths on the order of 0.1 to 0.2 pm.

Some additional features of the preferred system herein are set forth below. The preferred system is an imaging system for photolithographic applications using 157 nm, 193 nm or 248 nm or other exposure radiation including first and second optical groups, or groups G1 and G2. The first optical group, i.e., group G1, is either a catoptric or catadioptric group including preferably six mirrors. Group G1 preferably also includes one or more lens elements, e.g., to make the chief ray telecentric at a mask plane and to correct axial chromatic aberration.

The second optical group, or Group G2, is a dioptric group of several lens elements for reducing and projecting an image to a wafer plane. Group G2 is preferably a relaxed group such that optical paths of projected rays are smoothly redirected at each lens element, e.g., less than 45° and preferably less than 30°, and still more preferably less than 20°, as shown in FIG. 1. This preferred system is contradistinct form a Dyson-type system which has one reflective component performing reduction of the image. In contrast to the Dyson-type system, the preferred system has a dioptric second group (group G2) performing reduction, while the catoptric or catadioptric first group (group G1) forms a virtual image for reduction by Group G2 and provides aberration compensation for group G2.

The first and second groups, or groups G1 and G2, respectively, of the preferred imaging system herein enable parallel scanning and a symmetric, coaxial optical design. Stops are located preferably at or near the second mirror M2 of Group G1 and within Group G2. The first stop may be alternatively moved off of the second mirror to enhance aberration correction.

Group G2 is preferably independently corrected for lateral color, while the refractive components of the first group compensate those of the second group far longitudinal color. Advantageously, 15 or fewer total lens elements are preferably included in the system, group G2 preferably having 10 or fewer lens elements. For example, the system of FIG. 1 shows ten lens elements E4-E13 in group G2 and three additional lens elements in group G1.

The sixth or final mirror in group G1 may be preferably a convex mirror and preferably a virtual image is formed behind the sixth mirror. Group G2 forms a real image at the wafer plane.

When used with 157 nm exposure radiation, all of the refractive elements of the imaging system. e.g., lens elements E1-E13 of the preferred system of FIG. 1, are preferably made from a VUV transparent material such as CaF2. Alternatively, such materials as BaF2, SrF2, MgF2 or LiF may be used.

While exemplary drawings and specific embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated, it is to be understood that the scope of the present invention is not to be limited to the particular embodiments discussed. Thus, the embodiments shall be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive, and it should be understood that variations may be made in those embodiments by workers skilled in the arts without departing form the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims that follow, and equivalents thereof. In addition, the features of different claims set forth below may be combined in various ways in further accordance with the present invention. 

1. A system, comprising: a plurality of optical elements arranged along an optical axis between an object plane and an image plane, the plurality of optical elements including mirrors where each mirror defines a corresponding surface that is rotationally symmetric about the optical axis, each surface intersecting the optical axis at a corresponding intersection point, wherein: the plurality of optical elements define a pupil plane which intersects the optical axis at a position that is closer to an intersection point of a one of the mirrors than to any of the other optical elements, the system is a catadioptric microlithography projection objective, a total number of mirrors in the catadioptric microlithography projection objective is even, the optical axis is a single straight line between the object plane and the image plane, and the catadioptric projection objective has an image-side numerical aperture of 0.75 or more.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of optical elements includes at least four mirrors.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of optical elements includes at least six mirrors.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of optical elements comprise at least one lens arranged relative to the other optical elements so that during operation radiation directed from the object plane to the image plane makes a double pass through the at least one lens.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the at least one lens is adjacent to one of the mirrors in the radiation path from the object plane to image plane.
 6. The system of claim 4, wherein the at least one lens is adjacent in the radiation path to the mirror whose corresponding intersection point is closest to the pupil.
 7. The system of claim 4, wherein the at least one lens is a negative lens.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of optical elements includes a plurality of lenses and all of the lenses are formed from the same material.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of optical elements includes at least one lens formed from CaF_(2.)
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the lens closest to the image plane is formed from CaF_(2.)
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to image a ring-shaped field at the object plane to the image plane.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to image a rectangular-shaped field at the object plane to the image plane.
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to image an off-axis field at the object plane to the image plane.
 14. The system of claim 1, wherein the catadioptric projection objective has an image-side numerical aperture of 0.8 or more.
 15. The system of claim 1, wherein the mirrors comprise a pair of concave mirrors that are adjacent to one another in a path of the radiation from the object plane to the image plane.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein during operation the catadioptric projection objective forms an intermediate image of an object at the object plane between the pair of concave mirrors.
 17. The system of claim 1, wherein the catadioptric projection objective is a dry catadioptric projection objective.
 18. A system, comprising: a plurality of optical elements arranged along an optical axis between an object plane and an image plane, the plurality of optical elements including mirrors where each mirror defines a corresponding surface that is rotationally symmetric about the optical axis, each surface intersecting the optical axis at a corresponding intersection point, wherein: the plurality of optical elements define a pupil plane which intersects the optical axis at a position that is closer to an intersection point of a one of the mirrors than to any of the other optical elements, the system is a catadioptric microlithography projection objective, a total number of mirrors in the catadioptric microlithography projection objective is even, the optical axis is a single straight line between the object plane and the image plane, and the system is configured to image a rectangular-shaped field at the object plane to the image plane.
 19. A system, comprising: a plurality of optical elements arranged along an optical axis between an object plane and an image plane, the plurality of optical elements including mirrors where each mirror defines a corresponding surface that is rotationally symmetric about the optical axis, each surface intersecting the optical axis at a corresponding intersection point, wherein: the plurality of optical elements define a pupil plane which intersects the optical axis at a position that is closer to an intersection point of a one of the mirrors than to any of the other optical elements, the plurality of optical elements including at least four mirrors, the system is a catadioptric microlithography projection objective, a total number of mirrors in the catadioptric microlithography projection objective is even, and the optical axis is a single straight line between the object plane and the image plane.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the catadioptric projection objective has an image-side numerical aperture of 0.65 or more.
 21. The system of claim 19, wherein the catadioptric projection objective has an image-side numerical aperture of 0.7 or more. 